The U.S. should stop immediately the war against Iraq and the military threat imposed on Korean peninsula!!
-- Participating in the international day of action for peace and against war on February 15

Facing the eve of war on Iraq and the increasing threat of war on Korean peninsula by the U.S. imperialist, we, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, on behalf of working people in our country, express our warm solidarity to the international campaign against war and will join the international day of action on February 15 in collaboration with various Korean people's and social movements.

The U.S. had attacked Afghanistan using the excuse of 'war against terrorism' after Sept. 11. It resulted in tremendous victims and sufferings of innocent Afghanistan civilians. After the invasion of Afghanistan, the U.S. has shifted its military target into Iraq under the plea of a big threat to its security. Although there is no convincing evidence that the Hussein regime is supporting terrorism and developing weapons of mass destruction, a military action on Iraq seems imminent and the U.S. is now even touting the possibility of using nuclear weapons. In spite of international public opinion of anti-war, the U.S. declares unilateral invasion regardless of the absence of the consensus of the international community. Military action in Iraq not only threatens the livelihood of Iraqi people but also jeopardizes the safety and security of the entire world.

The U.S. is driving another war in the Korean peninsula addressing the North Korea nuclear issue. The U.S. has not only threatened North Korea with preemptive nuclear strike but also suspended the supply of heavy oil to the North, followed by the suspension of food aid. Regardless of the demands of the Korean people to solve the issue in a peaceful manner, the U.S. has increased military tension over the Korean peninsula by pushing ahead with additional military deployment. The threat of war on the Korean peninsula becomes more and more serious. We can confirm it in the open comment of "Next to North Korea" by British Prime Minister Blair.

We, the KCTU, oppose a US led war against Iraq and its unilateral militarism. We, the KCTU, oppose any plans of the Korean government to join the military action in Iraq which serves merely for anti-humanitarian mass destruction or to lend any form of support to the invasion of Iraq. We, the KCTU, ask the international community not to cooperate with the war against humanity.

In South Korea, the candlelight vigils to mourn the two teenage schoolgirls run over by a U.S. military vehicle shortly after the start of the World Cup is evolving into an anti-war campaign, not only for the normalisation of the unequal relation between Korea and U.S., but also for world peace. The candlelight vigils reflect justifiable demands of the Korean people to eradicate all kinds of crimes that have been committed by U.S. troops for more than the last 50 years. The Korean people also demand an end to unequal relationship.

Taking the opportunity of international day of action against war on Feb. 15, we, the KCTU, will struggle against war on Iraq and US military hegemonic project, which threaten the peace of Korean peninsula, in solidarity with workers and all peace loving people over the world.